"I think that it suggests that this Government will have a more receptive ear to the views and experiences of taxi operators,'' Eugene Raynor of the Bermuda Taxi Owners Federation said yesterday.

And taxi driver Joe L. Brown said drivers were "elated'' at the initiative.

"Now we are going to have some ordinary citizens and I think that's a good idea,'' said Mr. Brown.

Last Friday, Transport Minister Ewart Brown told the House of Assembly there would be an "unprecedented number of taxi operators on each of the transport boards''.

"They have claimed that they're on the outside, well now you're on the inside, so let's sit down and get it on,'' he added.

Yesterday Mr. Raynor went on to say past discussions had "gone around the same small circles various times''.

"We usually end up in the same place,'' he said.

He spoke of recent renovations and additions to the Airport taxi waiting area, and of the covered shelter in particular.

"It's brand new today, but it was recommended by the taxi association 20 years ago,'' he said.

"That's the sort of reaction we've gotten (from Government).'' And he warned there were still "a number of things that needed to resolved'' for the industry.

He said it was "a little unfair'' for Government to give licences to hotels, and added it was "ridiculous'' for tourists to be forced to take roundabout routes when roads were blocked off for running races.

"Those sort of considerations need to be heard,'' he said.

However, both men said they would be willing to join a board or advisory council if asked.

"Hopefully we will see that little light at the end of the tunnel start getting brighter,'' said Mr. Raynor.

TRANSPORTATION TRA